The Gift of Generosity Tuesday, September 22, 2009 By Mylon Dice [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising Every kid has ideal times in his or her's lives such as receiving a puppy, winning a baseball game, or maybe even a simple birthday.  The birthday in achild's life is a time for eating cake, having a party with a friends,and receiving gifts.  Most kids receive gifts such as toys, clothes,and even money.  French Teacher Mrs. Mimi Jones' daughter Zoë turned 9 years old July 31 and had a pool party this past August 2, but didn't receive a single gift. Forth Grader ZoëJones had a pool party at the Cameron Aquatic Center to celebrate herbirthday, but instead of receiving gifts she asked if the guests reallywanted to bring her presents to bring money to donate to Camp Quality. Camp Quality is a camp kids with cancer go to get away from treatmentfor a week in Stewartsville.  With a couple of weeks planning for the party, Zoë was inspired to do this after searching for a place to support onenight during the summer and couldn't find a place, but Mrs. Jonesbrought up Camp Quality.  "I'm so proud she came up with the idea onher own at her age," says Mrs. Jones.  The party raised $150and all of it was donated.  This act of generosity also inspired bothMrs. Jones and Zoë's friends to do the same concept with their own birthday parties.  This concept is growing to be pretty popular in the city, but all kids have more than one birthday and this would givea chance to do this more than once and maybe even for otherorganizations.  "I think I want to do this again next year, but my momtold me about all the other kids wanting to do something similar so Imight have to change organizations," says Zoë.  Zoë, and her mom as well, thinks she made a very wise decision because they raised over one hundred dollars.  Most 9 year olds would want toys for their birthdays, butZoë saw this from a whole other view.  "I already have a whole bunch oftoys and I think donating to Camp Quality is better than receivingtoys," says Zoë. Soif you have a younger child or maybe you are younger child readingthis, instead of receiving gifts this year maybe you can find a causeyou feel strongly about and make a difference, just like Zoë did.

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